Violence erupted at Bidhan Bhavan, the headquarters of the Indian National Congress in West Bengal, on Wednesday following intense protests over the distribution of party tickets ahead of the Assembly elections, exposing deep divisions within the state unit.The unrest began when a large group of party workers gathered at the central Kolkata office to voice their anger against the leadership’s choice of candidates. The situation quickly spiralled out of control as rival factions clashed, leading to chaos both inside and outside the premises. Protesters allegedly stormed the building, vandalised property, smashed window panes and hurled chairs, turning the party office into a battleground.At the heart of the controversy was the nomination of Rohan Mitra for the Ballygunge Assembly constituency. His selection reportedly angered supporters of another aspirant, Zahid Hossain, who claimed that he had been assured the ticket earlier. Agitated workers accused the leadership of favouritism, ignoring grassroots voices and imposing candidates without consultation.Eyewitnesses said heated arguments soon escalated into physical scuffles, leaving at least one party worker injured. Tension gripped the area as slogans were raised against senior leaders, and police personnel had to intervene to bring the situation under control. The clashes also triggered panic among those present at the office during the incident.
Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury condemned the violence, calling it unacceptable and warning of strict action against those involved. He urged party workers to maintain discipline and resolve differences through dialogue rather than resorting to aggression. Meanwhile, Rohan Mitra defended his candidature, stating that the party’s selection process was fair and based on merit.The turmoil was not confined to Kolkata alone. Reports of protests and vandalism emerged from several districts, indicating widespread dissatisfaction among party ranks following the announcement of candidates for a majority of Assembly seats.The incident has raised serious concerns about internal unity within the Congress in West Bengal at a crucial time, with political observers warning that such infighting could significantly impact the party’s electoral prospects in the state.
